First-Year University Park Scholars

New Student Orientation (NSO)

Your orientation to Penn State begins during New Student Orientation (NSO). All new first-year students to Penn State must participate in NSO. Special NSO dates are set for incoming University Park Schreyer Scholars each year, and first-year Scholars are automatically added to those dates. Schreyer Honors College will hold open houses on each of those dates for incoming Scholars to meet with and ask questions of Schreyer staff and leadership, current Scholars, and other incoming families.

Schreyer NSO Dates

There will be four Schreyer Scholar New Student Orientation (NSO) dates this year at University Park:

• Tuesday, May 28, 2024 - Wednesday, May 29, 2024
• Monday, June 3, 2024 - Tuesday, June 4, 2024
• Thursday, June 13, 2024 - Friday, June 14, 2024
• Sunday, July 7, 2024 - Monday, July 8, 2024

Welcome to the Community: An Evening of Connection for New Parents and Families

• 7:00 - 9:00 PM
• Atherton Hall

On day one of each of the four Schreyer Scholar NSO dates, Schreyer will host an evening exclusively for the parents and families of new Schreyer Scholars. Join us after dinner on your own for desserts, music and conversation with the Dean, Schreyer staff and other new families. Parents and families can craft personalized messages for their Scholars and at the end of each evening, the names of all attendees will be entered for a random drawing. Need not be present to win.

Open House for All New Scholars & Families

• 2:30 - 5:00 PM
• Atherton Hall

On day two of each of the four Schreyer Scholar NSO dates, Schreyer will host an Open House. Scholars and their families are invited to Atherton Hall for Penn State Berkey Creamery ice cream. This is a great opportunity to speak directly with the Deans and staff, meet your fellow incoming Scholars, and have all your questions answered before departing for home.

Date Conflicts

If you are unable to make the Schreyer-specific dates above, please contact Student Orientation and Transition Programs to select a new NSO date that works best for you. Please be assured that new Scholars will receive all the important information if they are not able to attend on the scheduled day for Scholars.

New Student Orientation (NSO)

Schreyer Honors Orientation (SHO TIME)

Schreyer Honors College holds a welcoming and inclusive orientation to the Schreyer community for all new Scholars. Schreyer Honors Orientation (SHO TIME) is the beginning of your Schreyer journey. Scholar move-in and arrival for 2024 is August 22.

Upon your arrival, you will be welcomed by the Dean, staff, and more than 60 Scholar Peer Educators who were where you are today not that long ago. Peer Educators serve as trusted friends, mentors, and advocates for all new Scholars, and they are eager to connect and engage with you throughout your orientation experience.

During SHO TIME, Peer Educators introduce new Scholars to the college's academic requirements, mission and vision, community, student life, resources, and more through two days of entertaining and interactive programming.

Schedule

Thursday, August 22, 2024

Arrival Day and Check-In for Schreyer Scholars

• 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM
• Bryce Jordan Center

SHO TIME Registration and Check-In

• 3:30 PM - 4:00 PM
• 100 Thomas Building

Welcome! You will be greeted by your Peer Educators as you begin your SHO TIME experience. Parents and families please prepare to say your goodbyes before the start of the next session. Students will depart 100 Thomas to begin their orientation. Parents and Families will not have an opportunity to connect with them after the next session.

Welcome to SHO TIME 2024

• 4:00 PM - 4:40 PM
• 100 Thomas Building

Your orientation to the Schreyer Honors College begins with a special welcome from the Dean of the Honors College and your SHO TIME Peer Educators. Students will depart this session with Peer Educators to begin their orientation program. Parents and Families can look forward to remaining in the auditorium for a special program with Dean Mather.

Parents and Families Information Session (Parents and Families Only)

• 4:45 PM - 5:15 PM
• 100 Thomas Building

Join Patrick T. Mather, Dean of the Schreyer Honors College, and Cyndy Hill, Director of the Penn State Parents Program, for information sessions designed specifically for parents and families. Have all your questions about Schreyer and SHO TIME answered before leaving campus.

SHO TIME Welcome Activities

• 4:45 PM - 7:30 PM
• HUB Lawn

New Scholars, get ready to begin a one-of-a-kind orientation experience with fun and engaging activities on the HUB Lawn! Your Peer Educators will have games and explore campus before dinner. A great opportunity to meet other first-year Scholars, have your questions answered by your Peer Educators, and enjoy the Penn State campus.

Blue/White Spirit Dinner

• 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
• Redifer/Pollock Commons

Enjoy time in your new community while experiencing a special themed dining experience. Your Peer Educators will help you feel right at home as you enjoy a variety of tailgate foods, game-day cookies, and Penn State Creamery ice cream.

SHO TIME "First Night"

• 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM
• Alumni Hall, HUB Robeson Center/HUB Lawn

Let's continue the FUN! The unique and interactive scavenger hunt is a one-of-kind opportunity for you to engage with your peers while exploring campus and vying to claim first place. We will gather together for a big reveal of the winners and end the night with Peer Educator led games.

Friday, August 23, 2024

Welcome and Shaping Your Scholar Success

• 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
• Music Recital Hall

Dean Mather welcomes all new Scholars to the Honors College community and highlights the history, mission, vision, and values of the College. Learn more about the New Scholar Experience designed to maximize a genuine sense of belonging in Schreyer and at Penn State. Ask us anything!

Peer Educator Chats

• 11:00 AM - 11:45 AM
• HUB Lawn

Take advantage of this time with your Peer Educators to chat informally in a small group setting.

PSreUse Lunch

• 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM
• Redifer/Pollock Commons

Take advantage of a popular sustainability initiative and learn more about sustainable and eco-friendly initiatives on campus. Select your favorite lunch options in a reusable container.

Who's Who in Schreyer?

• 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
• Various Rooms, HUB Robeson Center

Join Schreyer Honors College staff and others for engaging conversations about shaping your success as a Scholar with the various resources available to you within the College. Choose from multiple sessions to engage in what interests you the most.

Introduction to LA 197: "Foundations of Scholar Success"

• 3:15 PM - 3:45 PM
• Various Rooms, HUB Robeson Center

Join our Peer Educators as they showcase a Schreyer-specific class available to first-year Scholars. Peer-to-peer discussions based around community and the welcoming environment of the Schreyer Honors College. Registration still open.

Peer Educator Activities and Project 2027: Letter to Your Future Self

• 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM
• HUB Lawn and Campus Sites

Enjoy some down time with your SHO TIME group as you engage in a variety of fun and interactive orientation activities and participate in a treasured tradition in the College--writing a letter to your future self.

International Smorgasbord

• 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM
• Redifer/Pollock Commons

Enjoy a variety of international entrees and desserts. There is still time to be a part of Project 2027: Your Letter to Future Self. New Scholars will receive this letter upon their graduation; a treasured tradition in the College.

The One and Only Brain Show

• 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM
• State Theatre

This SHO TIME tradition is a beloved highlight of orientation. It features all the fun and excitement of a TV game show with you as participants. Test your knowledge and wit on a variety of subjects, including fun facts about Penn State and the Schreyer Honors College.

Don't Call it a Goodbye...It's Time to Continue the Adventure

• 9:00 PM - 9:30 PM

Immediately following the Brain Show, it's time to celebrate your successful completion of your orientation program and look forward to the first day of classes. Be sure to ask your Peer Educators where you can receive your Schreyer Swag.

If you have questions or an orientation conflict (i.e. Blue Band or other orientation program), please contact us at shotime@psu.edu.

Penn State Arrival Information

Foundations of Scholar Success (LA 197)

Foundations of Scholar Success is the continuation of your orientation journey. This semester-long one-credit course helps you build key skills needed for success while fostering connections with peers and Scholar mentors. First-year Scholars, regardless of campus, are highly recommended to register for this course during their first fall semester in Schreyer Honors College.

Foundations of Scholar Success is different from a first-year seminar course. This experience is about finding and strengthening your community and support systems within Schreyer. It will also help you understand how to bring and apply the Schreyer mission and values to your honors college journey. In this course, taught by credentialed peer educators, Scholars can expect a variety of activities, including engaging discussions, reflections, and group outings. Scholars will explore Schreyer and Penn State resources, discover out-of-classroom opportunities and funding sources, develop personal and academic success strategies, and learn insider tips to navigate Schreyer and Penn State.

This class will meet weekly for one hour throughout the fall. It is focused on discussion during class, rather than homework. Outside of class work will be minimal and may include activities such as reflecting or blogging. The course is being graded as satisfactory/unsatisfactory.

How to Schedule

Log into LionPath to add an available section of LA 197 to your schedule during New Student Orientation (NSO) or after.

Welcome Week & Scholar Involvement Fair

Welcome Week is a time for exploring Penn State, learning about involvement opportunities, and enjoying exciting campus events. During this week, we invite you to check out the All-Scholar Involvement Fair to learn about student organizations in Schreyer.

Scholar Housing

Have you completed your housing contract yet? All first-year Scholars at University Park are strongly encouraged to live in the Schreyer Honors College Living Learning Community in Atherton or Simmons Hall. You can update your housing preference any time before May 20 by visiting eLiving.

Our Honors Community

The GLOBE: A Schreyer Living Learning Community

The GLOBE is a close-knit community of globally minded individuals who have the desire to foster global awareness and an international perspective. First-year Scholars interested in applying or learning more about the GLOBE can do so on their website. Applications for The Globe will be available in May and due in June.

Peer Educators

Director

Peer Leader

Peer Educator